Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Sandton Index (Pty) Ltd ("Sandton Index", "we", "us", or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with applicable laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 ("POPIA") of South Africa.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, process, and protect personal information when you access or use our website, services, marketplace, applications, and related platforms.

By accessing or using Sandton Index, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection and processing of your information as described herein.

2. Company Information

3. Purpose of Processing Information

Sandton Index operates a verified project partnership and capital introduction platform that connects Project Owners, Capital Partners, and other approved participants.

We process information for purposes including:

• Identity verification
• User registration
• Membership administration
• Project verification
• Marketplace operations
• Capital introductions
• Communication facilitation
• Compliance requirements
• Fraud prevention
• Platform security
• Billing and payment administration
• Customer support
• Legal and regulatory obligations

4. Information We Collect

4.1 Personal Information

We may collect:

• Full names
• Date of birth
• Identity number
• Passport number
• Nationality
• Residential address
• Postal address
• Mobile number
• Email address
• Profile photograph
• Selfie verification images
• Employment information
• Professional information

4.2 Verification Information

For identity verification purposes, we may collect:

• South African Identity Documents
• Passports
• Driver's licences
• Selfie photographs
• Proof of residence
• Verification records
• Verification status information

4.3 Membership Information

We may collect:

• Membership type
• Membership status
• Membership history
• Membership payments
• Membership renewals
• Founder Membership records

4.4 Project Information

Project Owners may submit:

• Company details
• Registration details
• Tax information
• Project information
• Financial projections
• Business plans
• Supporting documentation
• Capital requirements
• Funding information

4.5 Capital Partner Information

Capital Partners may provide:

• Investment interests
• Funding preferences
• Industry preferences
• Geographic preferences
• Investment capacity information
• Introduction requests

4.6 Communication Information

We may collect and store:

• Messages exchanged through the platform
• Attachments uploaded through the platform
• Customer support communications
• Notification preferences
• Platform interaction records

4.7 Financial Information

We may collect:

• Payment history
• Transaction references
• Invoice records
• Membership payment records
• Verification fee records
• Service fee records

Sandton Index does not store full credit card details unless specifically permitted by applicable law and secure payment standards. Payment processing may be performed by approved third-party payment providers.

4.8 Technical Information

We may automatically collect:

• IP addresses
• Browser type
• Device information
• Operating system
• Location information
• Login records
• Session information
• Activity logs
• Cookies and tracking technologies

5. How We Use Information

We may use information to:

• Verify identity
• Authenticate users
• Create user accounts
• Manage memberships
• Verify projects
• Evaluate submissions
• Facilitate introductions
• Enable communication between users
• Prevent fraud
• Detect suspicious activity
• Improve services
• Provide customer support
• Process payments
• Generate invoices
• Enforce platform policies
• Comply with legal obligations

6. Verification and Marketplace Integrity

To maintain trust and security within the Sandton Index ecosystem, we may use collected information to:

• Verify user identities
• Verify project ownership
• Confirm submitted information
• Detect duplicate accounts
• Prevent fraudulent activity
• Conduct compliance reviews
• Monitor marketplace integrity

Verification approval does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, certification, investment recommendation, or assurance regarding any user, company, project, or opportunity.

7. Legal Basis for Processing

We process information where:

• You have provided consent;
• Processing is necessary to provide services;
• Processing is necessary for contractual performance;
• Processing is required by law;
• Processing protects legitimate interests;
• Processing supports fraud prevention and security.

8. Sharing of Information

We may share information with:

Internal Personnel

Authorized employees, contractors, and administrators who require access to perform their duties.

Service Providers

Third-party providers assisting with:

• Identity verification
• Payment processing
• Cloud hosting
• Security monitoring
• Communications
• Analytics
• Customer support

Regulatory Authorities

Where legally required, information may be disclosed to:

• Government authorities
• Regulatory bodies
• Law enforcement agencies
• Courts
• Tax authorities

Marketplace Participants

Certain information may be shared between approved Project Owners and Capital Partners after an introduction has been approved or otherwise authorized by the relevant parties.

9. Information We Do Not Sell

Sandton Index does not sell personal information to third parties.

We do not trade user information for commercial marketing purposes.

10. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational safeguards designed to protect information against:

• Unauthorized access
• Unauthorized disclosure
• Loss
• Misuse
• Alteration
• Destruction

Security measures may include:

• Encryption
• Secure hosting
• Firewall protection
• Access controls
• Role-based permissions
• Authentication controls
• Monitoring systems
• Audit logging

No internet-based system can guarantee absolute security.

11. Data Retention

We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• Provide services
• Maintain records
• Resolve disputes
• Comply with legal obligations
• Enforce agreements
• Protect legitimate business interests

Retention periods may vary depending on legal, operational, regulatory, and contractual requirements.

12. International Transfers

Information may be stored or processed on servers located within or outside South Africa.

Where information is transferred internationally, Sandton Index will take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are implemented.

13. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Sandton Index uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• Maintain sessions
• Improve functionality
• Analyze usage
• Enhance security
• Remember preferences
• Improve user experience

Users may manage cookie preferences through browser settings, although certain platform features may become unavailable if cookies are disabled.

14. User Rights

Subject to applicable law, users may request:

• Access to personal information
• Correction of inaccurate information
• Updating of information
• Deletion of information where permitted
• Restriction of processing where permitted
• Withdrawal of consent where applicable

Requests may be submitted to: legal@sandtonindex.com

15. Marketing Communications

Sandton Index may send:

• Platform updates
• Membership notices
• Verification notices
• Marketplace announcements
• Service notifications
• Regulatory communications

Users may opt out of non-essential marketing communications where legally permitted. Operational and compliance-related communications may still be sent when necessary.

16. Children's Privacy

Sandton Index services are intended for adults and legally capable persons.

Individuals under the age of 18 may not register without lawful authorization where required.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children in violation of applicable laws.

17. Future Services

Sandton Index may introduce additional services from time to time, including but not limited to:

• Meeting facilitation services
• Boardroom services
• Transaction administration
• Project monitoring
• Data room services
• Corporate support services
• Shareholding administration support
• CIPC-related administrative services
• Strategic partnership facilitation

Where additional services involve the collection or processing of further information, Sandton Index may update this Privacy Policy accordingly.

18. Breach Notifications

Where required by law, Sandton Index will take appropriate steps to notify affected individuals and relevant authorities of qualifying data breaches.

19. Changes to this Privacy Policy

Sandton Index reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy at any time.

Updated versions will be published on the website and become effective upon publication unless otherwise stated.

Users are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

20. Contact Information

For privacy-related questions, requests, complaints, or information access requests, contact:

By using Sandton Index, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this Privacy Policy.